Union County, NC – An 83-year-old man was killed in a hit-and-run crash Sunday evening, and investigators say the driver left him to die before fleeing the scene.
According to the Union County Sheriff’s Office, deputies and North Carolina State Highway Patrol troopers responded around 6:15 p.m. Sunday to the 7300 block of Morgan Mill Road after reports of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle. The victim, identified as Leonidas Constantine Smith, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities say the driver did not stop, did not check on the victim, and did not call for help. Investigators initially searched for a wide range of vehicles, including a 1999–2006 GMC Yukon SUV or GMC Sierra pickup, making the case especially challenging.
Over the next two and a half days, detectives from the Union County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation worked together, canvassing neighborhoods, knocking on doors, and collecting surveillance footage from homes, gas stations, and nearby businesses.
According to investigators, the suspect vehicle was tracked across multiple cameras, allowing authorities to identify the driver and locate the vehicle. Evidence collected from the vehicle allegedly linked it directly to the fatal crash.
Francisco Roman Escobar, of Oakboro, was arrested and transported to the Union County Detention Center. He has been charged with Felony Hit and Run and No Operator’s License. He remains in custody pending the booking process and bond determination.
Sheriff Eddie Cathey praised the effort, saying the case reflects “real police work” and a refusal to allow a fatal hit-and-run to go unsolved.
The investigation remains ongoing.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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